SpaceX · In Development · us · Lander
Starship HLS
NASA Artemis lunar lander variant of Starship; supports 2–4 crew transfer from Orion in NRHO.
Verified 2026-06-17
Subsystems
3 Raptor vacuum engines for lunar descent/ascent; additional RCS thrusters; methane/liquid oxygen propellants; requires on-orbit propellant transfer from Starship tankers before trans-lunar injection.
Integrated ECLSS hardware in development; SpaceX building life support, environmental control, and cabin systems for crewed surface missions.
GNC milestones completed per NASA progress reviews; autonomous precision lunar landing capability required.
Band of solar panels around vehicle circumference; kW capacity not publicly specified.
Docks with Orion in NRHO for crew transfer; PDA (petal docking adaptor) interface; later Artemis missions require docking with Gateway.
Specs & Metrics
- Crew Capacity ↑ better
- 2 seats
- Artemis III configuration (two crew from Orion); up to 4 for later missions
- Maximum number of crew members the vehicle can carry on a nominal mission.
- Pressurized Volume ↑ better
- 614 m³
- Total pressurized volume of full Starship HLS; each airlock ~13 m³ habitable
- Total internal pressurized volume of the spacecraft in cubic metres.